NSM 2112 PHARMACOLOGY I (4.0 C.U)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a pre-clinical course offered in the second Year of Nursing training. It provides an overview of the basic principles of pharmacology using the basic concepts of drugs and their action on various body tissues and cells with their accompanying regulation. It covers key concepts in pharmacology; body-drug interactions; mode of action; ordering, storage; prescription and administration and classification of drugs acting on various systems. It is divided into two parts: a theoretical component in form of lectures and tutorials, and a practical component of rational drug selection and administration in management of patient conditions. It emphasizes the application of nursing skills in pharmacological management of patients. This course COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the end of this unit, the student should be able to:
a) Define key terms related to drugs correctly
b) Describe drug administration in terms of dosage, route, and technique.
c) Classify the drugs commonly used in Uganda.
d) Prescribe and dispense drugs rationally
e) Explain the basic principles of drug action and function.
f) Describe how drugs are regulated, ordered, transported and stored in Uganda.
COURSE CONTENT
Introduction to Pharmacology:
Definition of terms in Pharmacology; Importance of Pharmacology to Nursing profession and patient education; related terms used in Pharmacology
Drug administration
Routes of drug administration; description of common dosage forms and dose calculations
Understanding Drugs:
Drug nomenclature; Sources of drugs; Classification of drugs; Essential medicines concept and Essential medicines;
Regulation: Uganda Pharmacy and Drug Act; National Drugs Authority; Rational drug use.
Ordering, Storage and Administration: Ordering of drugs; Storage of drugs; Administration of drugs in facilities and community
Prescription (Rational drug use); rational prescriptions; - Terminologies, abbreviations, writing proper prescriptions, interpretation; Dispensing;-labeling drugs, patient education.
Drug-Body Interactions
Pharmacokinetics (ADME)-Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Elimination of drugs; Clinical implications of ADME, Pharmacokinetic drug interactions;
Pharmacodynamics- definitions and related terms, Drug targets in the body, drug –receptor concept, dose-response curve and its clinical implications, Pharmacodynamic drug interactions
Antimicrobial and chemotherapeutic Agents: Antibacterial (Penicillins; Cephalosporins; Tetracyclines; Aminoglycosides; Macrolides; Sulphonamides; Quinolones; Antitubercular agents); Antimalarials; Anthelminthic agents; antifungal agents; antiviral agents; Anticancer drugs.
Autonomic Nervous System Pharmacology: Parasympathomimetic and sympathomimetic Agonists and antagonists; Ganglion blocking agents.
Drugs acting on Central nervous System: CNS stimulants: (picrotoxin, theophylline, theobromine, caffeine, nicotine); CNS depressants: mode of action: hypnotic and sedatives, Drugs for Bipolar disorders, Antipsychotics, general anaesthetic agents, Local anaesthetic agents, smooth muscle relaxants: alcohols, skeletal muscle relaxants; neuro-muscular junction blockers; Analgesic agents: narcotic and non-narcotic agents
- Modified lectures
- Demonstrations
- Group discussion
- Supervised practice
Assessment
- Tests
- Course work
- Assignments
- Written examination
REFERENCES
1) Katzung, BG, Masters, SB & Trevor, AJ, (2009) Basic and Clinical Pharmacology: McGraw-Hill
2) Clayton, B.D. & Stock, Y.N. (2001). Basic pharmacology for nurses. Philadelphia: Lippincott.
3) Gatford, J.D & Anderson, R. E. 1999. Nursing calculations Edinburgh: Churchill
4) Gutierrez, K. (1999). Pharmacotherapeutics: clinical decision making in nursing: Saunders.
5) Goodman and Gilman (2005) The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics: McGraw-Hill
6) Rang, HP, Dale, MM, Ritter, Flower, R (2007) Rang & Dale's Pharmacology: Churchill
Uganda Ministry of Health (2010). Uganda Clinical Guidelines: MOH, Uganda
- Lecturer: Milton Candia
- Lecturer: Bona Maandera